A section of Kenyan musicians have come out to reject a move by the Kenya Copyright's Board (KECOBO) to award the Kenya Association of Music Producers (KAMP), Performers Rights Society of Kenya (PRISK) and Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK) a joint license to collect royalties on their behalf.

Addressing the media in Nairobi, the artists said they have sorted answers from Sports, Art and Culture Cabinet Secretary  Rashid Mohammed Echesa on how the KECOBO CEO managed to 'unconstitutionally' issue the license letter on a Sunday yet we they had sought to solve the problems in royalty collection and were in the process of awaiting the Echesa's guidance.

The artists led by Nonini and  Rufftone noted “The CS informed us that Kecobo CEO went against his directive not to issue any communication on licenses or the licenses before outstanding conditions that denied MCSK a license were resolved and all stakeholders are on one page with a lasting solution to the problems that have existed in the whole business of royalty collection,” .

Here is the full statement from the artists.

PRESS STATEMENT

RE: Kenyan Musicians reject letter from KECOBO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MR SIGEI decision to award collective management organizations (CMO) Licenses to MCSK PRISK AND KAMP to collect royalties on their behalf. #kecoboIMPUNITY

We musicians would like to strongly reject the actions of one Mr Edward Sigei the CEO of KECOBO’s decision to award MCSK, KAMP & PRISK a joint license to collect royalties from users on our behalf. We have sought answers from Sports Arts and Culture Cabinet Secretary Rashid Mohammed Echesa on how the KECOBO CEO managed to unconstitutionally issue the license letter on a Sunday yet we had sought to solve the problems in royalty collection and we were in the process of awaiting the CS guidance.

The CS informed us that KECOBO CEO went against his directive not to issue any communication on licenses or the licenses before outstanding conditions that denied MCSK a license in 2017 were resolved and all stakeholders are on one page with a lasting solution to the problems that have existed in the whole business of royalty collection. Its good to take note that, Mcsk was deregistered in 2017 because they collected money and did not pay artists.

In 2017 and 2018 they continued to collect illegally and not paying artists, further the court found them guilty and ordered kecobo to take action. Instead if kecobo taking action, they have gone ahead to license the same organization which has not paid any artist in years. Immediately after the board deferred the decision to issue a license, the board term ended on 31st October 2018. Kecobo does not have a new board which would have considered the issuing of a license.

It would appear that Mr. Sigei is acting on his own since kecobo has no board members. This is against the law.

Also The board of kecobo made a decision to defer the issuing of a license for authors, composers and publishers in what now appears to be a calculated move to benefit some directors. Mr. Katana and David Mureithi who were part of the kecobo board that deferred the decision are now directors of mcsk.

In our view this is a conflict of interest and abuse of office. We can also establish that the KECOBO board does not have enough quorum to execute the mandate of issuing licenses to CMO so how did CEO Edward Sigei attain powers to issue licenses as KECOBO letter from Sunday 20th Jan 2019 dictates. DATE: 23rd Jan 2019 Kenyan Musicians We are wondering what the emergency is to issue these licenses to collect billions came from till a state office delivered an official statement on a Sunday, yet we have been seeking to solve the corruption and theft of Musicians money for years.

We also wonder why KECOBO asked for a public participation on 24th Jan 2019 dated 14th Jan 2019 then on Sunday 20th Jan 2019 they make a statement issuing license to CMOs KAMP PRISK & MCSK allowing them to collect billions when they have not shown us where the money they illegally collected for the past years was used! How can we come to participate in a process to address licenses that are already issued?

We have uploaded this statement and corroborating letters on social media with #KecoboIMPUNITY

Regards

MIAKE

CREATIVE SOCIETY OF KENYA

Ahead of the Feb 2019 premiere of Coke Studio Africa, the Pan African music collaborative show has selected a cross-section of leading African music producers who continue to set trends and pioneer new sounds and emerging genres on the African music scene to join the upcoming season of “Coke Studio Africa 2019”.

Kenyan producers: Majic Mike and Viola Karuri have been tapped to join the Super 8 producers tasked with engineering music fusions and collaborations from all the African stars on the show. 22-year-old music producer, Mutoria, will also make a cameo on the new season.

Well respected producer and singer, Majic Mike has crafted some of the biggest songs in Kenya notably ‘’Ayaya’’ featuring Kris Erroh and ‘’Bum Aye’’ featuring Kambua. Marking his debut, he will produce collaborations between Rudeboy (Nigeria) and Khaligraph Jones (Kenya).

Viola Karuri shot to fame following the release of her Swahili adaptation of the 2017 mega-hit ‘’Despacito’ ‘by Louis Fonsi featuring Daddy Yankee.

The emerging producer-singerthronged into the Kenyan music scene with her self produced 12 – track album ‘’Everything’’ in 2008. Debuting on the upcoming season, expect to see her production prowess as she lends her finesse producing for Boity (South Africa), Nazizi (Kenya) and Lioness (Namibia) on a special episode involving some of Africa’s trailblazing femcees.

Other producers joining the upcoming season include two of Nigeria’s acclaimed music producers: GospelOnDaBeatz and Krizbeatz, Tanzania’s biggest music producer Lizer and one of Uganda’s most sought-after music producers, Daddy Andre. Renowned Ethiopian music producer, songwriter and DJ Rophnan and the high-flying young Zimbabwean music producer Young DLC will also feature on the upcoming season.

Mombasa's finest Kelchi Africana is back with another hit.

The song is titled 'Pore'.

Watch its video below.

There has been speculation concerning the where abouts and health status of Tanzania crooner Ommy Dimpoz, the speculations were fueled after reports that the artist had been rushed to Germany for treatment after developing some complications from his previous throat surgery.

His situation brought together fellow artists from Tanzania and fans praying for his quick recovery.

Early this month there were rumours that the artist is dead, his management came out strongly dispelling the rumours and condemned those behind it.

Well, Ommydallah has now established that the artist is back to his feet and working on a new video release. He is currently in Mombasa and over the weekend he was busy shooting his new video under the Mombasa based production company, Above the Rim.  He was joined by Kenyan gospel artist Willy Paul during the shoot.

There is still no much information concerning his upcoming song/ video but we will keep you posted once we gather the details.

Kenyan rapper Henry ohanga popularly referred by the stage name Octopizzo is in the eye of the storm over murder claims.

A family at Nairobi's woodley estate says octopizzo assaulted their  19 year old son Kenneth Abom on Thursday afternoon forcing him to jump from the fourth floor of their building leading to his death.

The strathmore university student succumbed to chest injuries on saturday shortly after his admission at the kenyatta national hospital.

The family says that they are waiting for an autopsy report so they can press charges against the rapper.

In an Interview with KTN, Octopizzo distanced himself from the death of the boy, saying he is not responsible.

Vanessa Mdee will make you dance to her new single "That's For Me", together with Distruction Boyz, DJ Tira and Prince Bulo.

Watch the video below

Coast Diva, Sis P Queen  is back with a new single dubbed 'Te Amo', after a quite long maternity break.

'Te Amo' which means 'I love you' is a deep, mellow, passionate love song and has been produced by Saint P. It is the first single in her 25-track upcoming album yet to be released this year.

Sis P had been on a break since May last year after being advised by her doctor after she started experiencing some pregnancy related complications , she successful delivered a baby boy on  December last year and is now back to reclaim her throne.

Listen to the song below